Big 5 Sporting Goods Corp reported a 77 percent jump in fourth quarter earnings that barely fell short of analyst estimates.

After the Tuesday markets closed the El Segundo sporting goods retailer reported net income of $6.4 million (29 cents a share) for the quarter ended Jan. 3, compared with $3.6 million (17 cents) a year earlier.

Revenue rose 8 percent to more than $237.6 million, sales at stores open at least a year rose only 0.1 percent.

Excluding a one-time legal expense of 3 cents per share, the company earned 32 cents a share. Analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters on average expected per-share profit of 33 cents on revenue of more than $237 million.

Big 5 had been meeting Wall Street expectations through most of the recession, attributed in part to promoting an image as a low-cost retailer of recreational products. The company opened two new stores during the quarter, bringing its total to 384 stores.

“Throughout our history, we have focused on providing consumers with compelling values on quality products and managing the business effectively and efficiently, a strategy which is particularly well-suited to the current economic environment,” said Chief Executive Steven G. Miller in a press release.

For the full year, Big 5 reported a 57 percent increase in net income to $21.8 million, ($1.01) and a 3.6 percent rise in net sales to more than 895 million.

Shares on Wednesday closed down 8 cents to to $15.56 on the Nasdaq.